With experience, depth and some of the best newcomers in the game, three-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion Clemson seems the biggest lock in college football for a fourth consecutive trip to the final four. So much so that even Swinney can’t deny it.

“I feel great about this team. I love this team,” Swinney said. “Last year was such a fun, different challenge for us. But this team, we’ve got all the ingredients. I think we’ve got talent. We’ve got experience. We’ve got depth. We’ve got character. We’ve got good leadership. So we have, I think, all of the things that it takes.”

The Tigers, who were 12-2 last year, are certainly experienced . Defensive linemen in Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant all passed up the NFL draft to play again in college. Throw in monster tackle Dexter Lawrence — who says he’s completely healthy from a toe issue that slowed him at times last year — and the Tigers might have the most fearsome front four in college football.

Kelly Bryant entered summer as Clemson’s No. 1 quarterback , although he’s getting pushed from five-star freshman Trevor Lawrence, who broke the Georgia high school marks for passing yards and TDs held by former Clemson All-American Deshaun Watson.

One area of concern before the season opener with Furman on Sept. 1 is the receiving corps. While Clemson’s group is packed with potential only national championship hero Hunter Renfrow has shown consistency.

But that’s not nearly enough to dampen enthusiasm for a big, big things this year at Clemson.

“I think we’ve come a long way, really. We’ve become a close team at this point,” Swinney said. “We’re very pleased with the morale and the chemistry that I’ve seen already.”